Battery leakage: GM, executive chef leave new S.F. club after first month

San Francisco’s premier new private club The Battery has barely been open a month and already it’s facing some significant internal turmoil.

Three members of the club’s opening management team — general manager Tex Doughty, food and beverage director Jason Reilplinger and executive chef Jason Abrusto — have all parted ways with the club, leaving owners Michael and Xochi Birch to search for replacements.

John Gresty, the club’s director of hotel operations, confirmed the moves — first reported by Inside Scoop — but would not disclose any details about the abrupt turnover.

In an email to members, Michael Birch said the club has "decided to go in a new direction" for its team and announced Jefferey Bischoff has been hired to take over Doughty's place as general manager.

According to the Battery’s site, Doughty spend two and half years helping put the project together and was responsible for hiring the club’s entire management team.

Abrusto, known for his stint as chef de cuisine at Mix in Las Vegas, was hired to run the Battery’s restaurant 717B long before it opened. His replacement has not been found.

The Battery employee Alison Arth will act as interim food and beverage director while the club seeks a replacement for Reilplinger.